ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Taiba Sultana, candidate for Pennsylvania State Senate in the 18th District, has filed an appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court after being removed from the ballot over her use of the term “self-employed” on her nomination petition.
A petition was filed in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth court to remove her name from the May 19 Democratic primary ballot on April 1. The court found that Sultana’s petition contained a “material defect” that misleads voters, specifically her failure to disclose her occupation beyond listing “self-employed,” officials said.
The court concluded the omission was legally insufficient under the Pennsylvania Election Code and warranted setting aside the petition.
In the petition, the objectors maintained that marking “self-employed” without further information has the potential to mislead electors.
Sultana’s appeal argues that the Commonwealth Court imposed a requirement that does not exist in Pennsylvania law, turning a truthful statement into grounds for disqualification.
“This is not just about one word — this is about ballot access and the right of voters to choose their candidate,” Sultana said. “I told the truth. I am self-employed. There was no fraud, no misrepresentation, and no confusion.”
The appeal further argues that even if additional detail had been required, it would have been a minor technical issue subject to amendment — not a reason to remove a candidate supported by hundreds of voters.
Sultana also warned that the ruling could have broader consequences.
“If this decision stands, it opens the door to arbitrary enforcement of election laws that can be used to block candidates from the ballot,” she said. “That’s dangerous for democracy.”
Sultana emphasized that the stakes go beyond her campaign, noting that voters in the district deserve the opportunity to make a real choice in the primary.
“This election is about whether voters are allowed to decide if they want to re-elect a long-time incumbent with a record of standing up with republicans on voting against raising the minimum wage, against expanding protections for women and LGBTQ+ communities, and in alignment with policies that harm immigrant communities, and who don’t thing is a democrat and aligned with a different party — or if they’re ready for new leadership that actually reflects Democratic values,” Sultana said.
Sultana has also filed an emergency application for a stay, asking the Court to act quickly given the May 19 primary election.
“I’m fighting to get back on the ballot because this decision shouldn’t silence voters,” she added. “The people of this district deserve a real choice.”